Oct 29 - New cruise-passenger record

Good morning !

Another cruise season is wrapping up, and the volume of people visiting the city by cruise has climbed right back up to where it was before the pandemic hiatus.

More passengers than ever came to Victoria—but changes to the time and place that they arrive downtown makes it hard to determine exactly how much that record number was felt. More on that below.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 10 / 0

Tomorrow: ☀️ 13 / 3

Day after: ☀️ 11 / 5

7-day forecast

NEWS

Cruise season wraps with new record for visitors

As the Norwegian Sun pulls out from Ogden Point tonight—the last cruise ship leaving Victoria on the final cruise day of the season—the Seattle-bound vessel, almost twice the length of a CFL field, leaves a banner year in its wake.

Nearly a million people came by cruise this year: 326 ship visits transported 970,000 visitors to Victoria since April 11. That’s 3 fewer ships than in 2022, but 26% more visitors (due to higher ship occupancy, the harbour authority says).

With another tourist season wrapping up, we looked at the downtown economic impact of cruises, the debate over drop-off points, and the ways that new environmental regulations have changed how and when ships visit.

Full story at Capital Daily.

NEWS

Westshore Rebels are BC’s football champions

The local junior football team won at home on Saturday, knocking out the defending national champion Okanagan Sun. The Rebels remain undefeated (12-0) on the season after overcoming a first-half deficit to take yesterday’s Cullen Cup 33-19.

It’s been a dominant season for the Rebels, who outscored opponents by a total of 583-112 in the regular season and verged on scoring 100 points in one game.

The team will next host the Canadian championship in two weeks; opponent is TBD and tickets come out tomorrow.

Westshore players won most league awards 
In the BC Football Conference, Westshore quarterback Te Jessie was the offensive MVP (as well as offensive back) while linebacker Demar Hohnstein was defensive MVP (and best linebacker). Cairo Berry won returner of the year and best special teams player, Kieran Poissant was best receiver, and Dexter Janke was coach of the year.

Rebels’ 2023 success began even before season
This spring, former Rebel Dontae Bull went #1 in the CFL draft.

VI Rebels had a polar opposite season,
The Island’s other BCFC team went 0-10 while being outscored 132-587.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Victoria launches redesigned new city website, following its first major overhaul since 2012.

UVic soccer teams both advance to Canada West semifinals.

This week’s weather: Cold and sunny, then warmer but rainy.

Royals split weekend series vs. Vancouver Giants.

NEWS

Where to find festive treats this Halloween

Halloween is right around the corner, and will bring trick-or-treaters to doorsteps in search of sweets. Stocking up a bowl for these young ghouls and goblins gives plenty of grown folks an excuse to gobble up a few handfuls of candy themselves.

But the Halloween season brings more than store-bought chocolate bars and lollipops. Victoria has lots of creative, Halloween-themed desserts—from white chocolate ghosts and dark chocolate bats to eyeball marzipan to cat-shaped shortbread.

Check out five places to find such treats at Tasting Victoria.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🎃 Halloween Happenings: Our roundup of all the seasonal and spooky events this week and next. [Capital Daily]

🍄 Mushrooms sprouting from a tree cone in this Saanich photo.

🌊 Check out the latest COAST podcast to hear how Akvafuture is revolutionizing the salmon farming industry with their innovative new 'ecosalmon.'*

🕸️ Halloween houses map collects some of the best lawn displays across the region. [CTV]

🥑 THIS IS THE PLACE: The Root Cellar at Oxford Corner in Cook Street Village – your innovative destination market for fresh locally grown produce and extraordinary food experiences. Visit the website to learn more!*

🤝 Now hiring: Sales Development Representative at Waterworth.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Saanich landlord charged after brandishing shotgun at tenant
Police told CHEK the rental altercation had led to two weapon charges.

New playground unveiled at Stadacona Park
City reps were on hand on Sat. to celebrate the Fernwood-area park’s new features including a rubber play surface, tower, slides, chair and disc swings, in-ground trampoline, chair spinner, and more.

UVic crosscountry teams both take silver in Canada West
Victoria local Daniel Damian had the Vikes’ fastest finish (6th place, 24:40) at the league championships in Kelowna. Up next: nationals in two weeks.

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Enhanced Executive Support Analyst - Temporary at ISM

• Sales Development Representative at Waterworth

• Venture Associate at Cindicates

• Inclusion Support Worker at Fernwood NRG

• Seasonal Sale Associate at The Butchart Gardens

Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

🗓️ Things to do

🕷️ Halloween Market and Bug Zoo at night: Check out local vendors, enter the costume contest and see some creepy crawlies. Oct. 29, 5:30-9pm.

🎵 Victoria Choral Society presents Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi and Requiem by Matthew Coleridge. Christ Church Cathedral. 2:30pm. [Tickets]

🕎 Survivors: A play about the Holocaust, tolerance, and courage. Phoenix Theatre. Sunday. 2pm. [Tickets]

🎶 Sing for fun: East Sooke Rough Voice Singers. ES Community Hall. Sunday, Nov. 5. 2-4pm.

🎨 Oak Bay’s Avenue Art Gallery features artist Linda Wilder, whose paintings of mountains, waterfalls and abstract shapes are on display for the next week. Today until Nov. 4.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Expect more power outages in this season’s storms, BC Hydro warns. Plus: Island teachers get awards. Man rescued after 2 weeks at sea. [Sat. newsletter]

Friday’s headlines: Beacon Wharf can stay (for now). Island breweries win big. New supports for locals fleeing family violence. [Newsletter]

Thursday’s headlines: Adopt a bat for Bat Week. See a moss-covered skull and a saved spider. [Newsletter]

1-bed rental is actually an RV, upsetting Victoria renters interested in the listing. [Victoria News]

Photo: Stunning sunrise in Cowichan Bay.

Have an animal-safe Halloween: Let this photo of a deer wrapped in Halloween decorations serve as a reminder to hang lights tightly and keep dangling items high up.

That’s it!

Thank you for reading, and have a happy and safe weekend and Halloween week!